Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever visited. We stayed in a hotel in Copacabana walking distance from the beach. Everyone at the beach was enjoyiong the summer time. Being here I have observed microecomics at its best. There are hundreds of vendors walk on the beach selling souveneirs, towel, bathing suits, sunscreen, key chains, drinks and much more. The only thing I did not see them selling was soccer balls. For the majority of the time customers on the beach turn them down but there are times when their products are convinient and make nice presents as well. I'm unsure if they have to claim any of the money they earn or if they just need a liscence and are able to sell their products. I found it very interesting that these vendors all work in groups and agree to cover some parts of the beach while others do the other side.

We also visited Christ the Redeamer and the Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar). The views from both of these sites were breathtaking!

To get up to Christ the Redeamor you need to take a small shuttle rail. The anticipation to get closer to the top was intense. We couldn't wait toget to the top so we would question any delay.

The train bring you 3/4 up the mountain and the rest you have to walk up the stairs. Once you get there the view was amazing!

Later on in the day we went to Pão de Açúcar and the battery in my camera died. I'll post pictures taken by other soon.

Viaje desde Sao Paulo a Rio de Janeiro

Durante este viaje en rumba a Rio de Janeiro me ha dado cuento cuanto extraño mi niñez y mi tierra querida, Colombia. En cada lado del bus puedo ver montañas, arboles, ríos, frutas, vacas, caballos, y mucho mas. Lugares asi tiene un lugar muy especial en mi corazón. Tierras asi fueron las que me hacen sentir feliz y me recuerdad cuando visitaba a la finca de mis primos cuando era mas joven. Me divertí mucho en Buenos Aires y Sao Paulo, las dos ciudades enormas y tienen mucho poder econmico para cada país respectivamente pero este viaje me dado cuenta que todo eso fue muy superficial. Viendo el paisaje Brasilero me siento en paz, me siento afortunado de haber venido en este viaje. Una cosa es quedarse en un hotel y caminar por las calles y otra cosa es disfrutar lo natural.

Museu do Futebol

Going to the Museu of Futebol was truly humbling and an experience that I willl never forget. As A young child I grew up playing soccer in Colombia and have remained an avid soccer fan ever since. Eventhough I watch and play other sports such as basketball, soccer still remains in my blood.

The Museu fo Futebol was an amazing display of the history of Brasilian futebol. Throughout the museu there was various sections and each one kept getting better. My favorite section took place under the stadium bleachers in which fans passion for their teams was displayed at different angles using projectors and fluctuating sound levels.It was an intense feeeling that I remember having when I was a kid going to watch El Atletico Nacional in Medellin with my uncle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydQn_d2OxfI

I'm extremely glad this visit to the museu was the part of the itenarary because the visit would not have been complete without including soccer in it. Brasilian are extremely passionate about futebol and loyal to their team. This visit reinforced my dream in coming to Brasil for the 2014 for the Fifa World Cup!

Universidades en Buenos Aires y Sao Paulo

Universidad Argentina De la Empresa Buenos Aires- http://www.uade.edu.ar/

Cuando visitamos la UADE toda la gente estaba en vacaciones menos el guia que nos monstro la universidad. Esta universidad esta localisada en el centro de Buenos Aires.

El guia nos monstro la universidad en menos de treinta minutos. Hubiera sido mejor si hubiera gente en la universidad cuando la visitamos para en verdad sentir como es estudiar en la universidad.

Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo-http://www.pucsp.br/

NATURA

Visiting Natura was refreshing due to the change in scenery; the plant was surrounded by the rainforest. I was getting accustomed to the city of Sao Paulo and this was a great opportunity to enjoy fresh air and look at the Brazilian landscape.

The tour guide explained that Natura products are only sold throughout Latin America and are done by beauty sale consultants. It was interesting to me because I know friends who are or have been beauty consultant for other cosmetics companies.

One of the most impressive parts of the tour was when they showed us the warehouse which is operated by robots. There were thousands of products in the warehouse. This speak volumes to the distribution system of the company.

Company heavily emphasized on transparency, social responsibility and ergonomics.

The design of the plant Fung Shui design to promote the work atmosphere.

I enjoyed the company visit to NATURA.

Compal Electronics-Compalead Electronica Do Brasil Ind. E Com. LTDA.

The tour of Compal Electronics was enlightening! Compal Electronics began in1984 and it has operations through the world.

It was amazing to see the step by step process of building a laptop. It was a complicated and long process but the gentleman showing us around the plant were knowledgeable and familiar with each step of the process.Prior to the tour we sat in on a meeting with the director of logistics. He was very knowledgeable of Brasilian economy and the requirements to do business in Brasil.

Click on the link for more information about Compal Electronics: http://www.forbes.com/companies/compal-electronics/

Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC SP)-Quick Facts

Founded in 1946
4th oldest highest institutionin Brasil
Ranked 37th University in Latin America
1st private institution ever in Brasil
18 doctorate programs
Currently have 75 students from the United States studying at PUC SP

*information according to mediator of presentation

We visited the PUC Sao Paulo campus on two different ocassions. The first visit consisted two presentations; the first one was by Professor Arnoldo de Hoyos titled "Sustainable Development Innovation based on Green and Creative Economy". During the lecture he touched upon topics such as Agribusiness, Urbanization, Population Dynamics, Solar Energy, Biodiversity, and much more. He also mentioned that Brasil will be host to the Earth Summit in June 2012 which goes reinforces Brasil's influence in the world today.

The second presentation was given by Suzana Bandeira, an executive consultor who trains Brasilian executives before they go to China on how to do business with Chinese business man. The presentation described the Chinese influence in Brasil dating back centuries. Then, she went on to describe the many differences and similarities between Brasilian, Chinese, and European cultures. The presentation was interactive, informative, and enlighting at the same time.

We came back to PUC SP for a presentation byEconomics Professor Niemeyer.

He presented us with vast information about Brazil's GDP, import and export with the United States and China, and Brazil's foreign direct investment flow. He also presented information on BRICS, N-11, the US, the EU 27, and Japan. I was very interested about what he was speaking because this is what I have been studying as an undergraduate student and it motivates me to continue to further my education.

Visiting the PUC campus was a great experience!

Unescapable American Politcs

There is no escaping American politics. Before I left for the South America Study Abroad Tour the coverage for the nominations of the Republican candidates had increased. I thought that I was going to be able to escape it while I was in South America but that wasn't the case. I was flipping thorugh the channels late at night in Sao Paulo and it felt like I turned on FOX news the only difference was that it was in a Portugues.

This goes to show you that even though the United States' economy is struggling compared to other developing countries, the US still remains the main influence in the world.